MR dealers under the scanner

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 6: Kaliachak-II block development officer (BDO) Mr Chirantan Pramanick has decided to start a separate inquiry against the modified ration (MR) dealers who have allegedly been selling rice at the rate of Rs 6.50 per kg to BPL residents and Rs 3 per kg to Antyodaya Yojana beneficiaries after 27 February.

Mr Pramanick has also suggested that the complainants draw the attention of the district food and supplies department for taking necessary action against the accused MR dealers.

“I have heard the allegation and have decided to start an inquiry separately against the MR dealers because it a gross violation of the government order that has asked the food and supplies department to make sure rice is supplied at the agreed rate of Rs 2 per kg to beneficiaries,” Mr Pramanick said.

CPI-ML (Liberation) leaders had yesterday raised the allegation against at least seven dealers in Kaliachak-II block and submitted complaints to the authorities. The leaders have also staged protests against the practice in front of the shops of the dealers concerned.

CPI-ML (Liberation) leader Mr Mrityunjay Das said that the dealers did not issue money receipts when they delivered rice to the beneficiaries but received Rs. 6.50 per kg of rice from BPL customers despite the government order.

District controller of food and supplies Mr Arun Bhattacharyya said: “We have received the information and have sent a team for inspection there. We are, however, yet to get the inspection report from the officials.”

“If the dealers are found guilty, they will have to refund money received illegally to the consumers. We are conducting overall monitoring across the district so that the dealers are prevented from selling rice at old rates to the beneficiaries,” Mr Bhattacharyya said.